Chapter 1924 : The Art of Rebirth and Limits

Eldrin Chen also gave a slight nod of acknowledgment. The secret art devised by Snow Soul Immortal Lord held considerable merit.

By harnessing the power of a hundred kalpas of Indestructibility [the state of being unbreakable and eternal], it achieved Rebirth [a divine ability to be reborn anew] from within Oblivion [the state of utter annihilation and nothingness], comprehending a method of transformation akin to a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. This method was most capable of shattering one's original inherent limits.

Snow Soul Immortal Lord was originally a Sixth Layer Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a cultivator at the sixth level of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm]. The reason she had accumulated hundreds of thousands of Kalpa Tribulations [cosmic cycles of destruction and renewal] yet failed to break through to the Late Stage Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the advanced stage of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm] was primarily due to the constraints imposed by her bloodline, which prevented her from advancing further.

In truth, this was the case for any Innate Heavenly God Being [a divine entity born with innate heavenly power]. The ultimate limit of their cultivation was intimately tied to the potential of their own bloodline. Breaking through these limits was far more difficult than it was for an Immortal Path [the path of cultivation followed by immortals] Great Encompassing Golden Immortal.

Even figures like Nyssa Qu and the Nine-Colored Immortal Deer [a mystical deer with a nine-colored coat], whose profound origins and potent bloodlines allowed their cultivation to progress with astonishing speed and face significantly smaller bottlenecks, would find it immeasurably arduous to continue their advancement once they reached the ultimate limit of their inherent bloodline potential.

Of course, their latent Force Extreme [the pinnacle of inherent power and potential] was exceedingly high, allowing them to reach realms that were utterly unattainable for ordinary beings.

Overall, those who relied on bloodline and innate origin would ultimately find themselves shackled by the very same bloodline that empowered them.

The 'Hundred Tribulations Butterfly Transformation Art' [a secret art for undergoing a metamorphosis through a hundred tribulations], capable of breaking the limits of one's own bloodline, indeed possessed considerable merit and could rightfully be termed Extraordinary [remarkable and outstanding].

With this thought, Eldrin Chen placed this secret art scroll into the Clan Treasury [the repository for a clan's most valuable treasures and knowledge] and spoke, "This marvelous scroll holds considerable merit for the Innate Heavenly God Beings within our clan."

"I have placed it within the Clan Treasury. You may study and draw inspiration from it in your leisure time in the future."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement, offering no further comment.

With matters settled, the group dispersed to focus on their cultivation. Eldrin Chen then proceeded to the Seclusion Chamber to begin a new alchemical endeavor.

Having slain the Celestial Ox Demon God, he now possessed the materials to refine a batch of Great Encompassing Immortal Pill. This was an indispensable resource for Eldrin Chen.

For this refinement, Eldrin Chen once again collaborated with Exquisite Jiang. With their combined mastery of the alchemical arts, the success rate for this batch of Great Encompassing Immortal Pill was naturally exceedingly high.

After a mere few tens of thousands of years, they successfully completed the refinement, yielding a total of three Great Encompassing Immortal Pill.

Of these three pills, Eldrin Chen allocated one each to Nyssa Qu and Exquisite Jiang. He then set about processing the bones and hide of the Celestial Ox Demon God.

Every part of a Chaos Demon God was a treasure. Its bones could be forged into artifacts, and its hide could be used to craft Great Encompassing Divine Talisman.

The Celestial Ox Demon God had been stuck at the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Early Stage for many years, unable to advance. Over this long period, it had fully integrated the Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light [a fundamental, unbreakable spiritual radiance] into its Demon God physique, cultivating a Great Encompassing Physique that was exceptionally formidable.

After processing the materials, they obtained nine sheets of low-grade Great Encompassing talisman paper and one piece of low-grade Great Encompassing Divine Bone.

Due to the Great Encompassing Physique being infused with the Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light, these Great Encompassing talisman papers and the Great Encompassing Divine Bone were of extraordinary quality. They already contained a portion of the power inherent to Innate Heavenly God Object [objects born with the essence of a Heavenly God], making their value far surpass that of ordinary Great Encompassing Rare Treasure.

If used to refine a Great Encompassing Divine Talisman or a Great Encompassing Divine Weapon, its power could already reach the domain of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Early Stage realm.

However, due to its finite power, the Great Encompassing Divine Talisman and Great Encompassing Divine Weapon refined from it would inevitably be one-time or limited-use treasures, losing their divine efficacy once the internal energy was exhausted.

"The Great Encompassing Physique of a Chaos Demon God is truly formidable and extraordinary,"

Exquisite Jiang remarked with admiration after processing the remains of the Celestial Ox Demon God.

Eldrin Chen also nodded in agreement. He recalled that when he had slain the Crimson Mastiff Demon Lord, he had not obtained materials suitable for refining Great Encompassing talisman paper or Great Encompassing Divine Bone.

The fundamental reason was the insufficient strength of the Crimson Mastiff Demon Lord's physical body.

Although the Crimson Mastiff Demon Lord's cultivation had reached the Fifth Heaven of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm, granting him power far surpassing that of this Celestial Ox Demon God, his physical body was vastly inferior in comparison.

While the Crimson Mastiff Demon Lord had also cultivated a Great Encompassing Physique, his physical realm was not particularly high. It relied on the nourishment from his Great Path and profound magic power to sustain its formidable Vitality.

But in terms of sheer quality, it likely could not compare to that of the Celestial Ox Demon God. Hence, its bones and hide were not considered precious, at least not in the eyes of Eldrin Chen.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Most Chaos Demon God possess Extraordinary physical bodies. In the future, with sufficient strength, perhaps we could make plans regarding them."

Exquisite Jiang [the wife of Eldrin Chen] nodded, offering no further words.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen [the protagonist and patriarch of the Chen Clan] handed the talisman papers to Exquisite Jiang and said, "With these papers, you can inscribe some Great Encompassing Divine Talisman [a powerful type of defensive talisman], to serve as a hidden reserve for our clan."

Exquisite Jiang inclined her head in acknowledgment. Due to limited energy and focus, Eldrin Chen had not studied the art of talisman-making for many years. Currently, her skill was the highest in the clan, yet she had still not reached the Great Encompassing Realm [a high-level stage of cultivation mastery].

With these nine talisman papers, Exquisite Jiang's skill in talisman inscription might advance another step.

After storing the papers, Exquisite Jiang was about to leave but turned back to ask, "For this coming Kalpa Tribulation [a great cosmic calamity and trial], should Violet Consort [Yan Zixuan] and Lila [Eldrin Chen's adopted daughter] enter the tribulation?"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment. Had they not obtained the Creation Cauldron [a legendary cauldron with creation powers], then Violet Consort Yan and Lila would have been unable to break through to the Great Encompassing Realm for some time.

Now that they possessed the Creation Cauldron, perhaps they could use this Kalpa Tribulation to attempt their breakthrough into the Great Encompassing Realm.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen said thoughtfully, "Let us first examine the profound mysteries of the Creation Cauldron, then decide."

With these words, Eldrin Chen summoned Violet Consort Yan and Lila.

"Husband," they greeted.

Upon seeing Eldrin Chen, both women greeted him with evident delight.

Looking at them, Eldrin Chen could not help but smile. After over one hundred million years of secluded cultivation, the cultivation levels of Violet Consort Yan and Lila had not broken through to the Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal realm, yet their true combat prowess had grown increasingly astonishing.

Lila, having digested the gains and Opportunity and Fortune from her previous two Kalpa Tribulation cycles, had successfully cultivated three Indestructibility Foundation. Her strength and potential were now extraordinary even among Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal cultivators, giving her a significant hope of independently weathering the tribulation and attaining the Great Encompassing realm.

Violet Consort Yan had also assimilated her previous Opportunity and Fortune. Having obtained the Mysterious Heaven Violet Flame, she had seized the chance to cultivate Indestructibility Dharmic Power, granting her an overall strength that surpassed Lila's, now possessing four Indestructibility Foundation.

"Excellent. It seems your progress in these years has been swift," Eldrin Chen remarked.

Gazing at Violet Consort Yan and Lila before him, Eldrin Chen spoke with a warm smile.

Noticing his demeanor, Violet Consort Yan's beautiful eyes flickered with understanding. "Husband, you summoned us immediately upon your return. You must have reaped no small harvest."

Eldrin Chen's smile faded, replaced by solemnity. "My journey into the Depths of Chaos yielded an extraordinary Opportunity and Fortune—one capable of facilitating your Foundation Reforging."

"However, this Opportunity and Fortune carries significant Karma [the cosmic principle of cause and effect governing actions and their consequences]. You must ensure this information does not leak."

The two women's expressions shifted subtly. After exchanging a glance, Lila spoke cautiously, "If it invites trouble, perhaps it's best to conceal the news entirely—even from the two of us."

"It is not quite so terrifying," he said with a gentle smile.

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile and then spoke, "Follow me."

With those words, Eldrin Chen led the two women to a secluded Forbidden Land within the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain.

This particular Forbidden Land was one Eldrin Chen had specifically prepared for concealing secrets. It was saturated with a high concentration of Sea of Chaos Water [primordial waters of formless chaos], and he had laid down a Heaven-Earth Reversal Formation [a formation that inverts the natural order of heaven and earth] based on the principles of the Great Deduction Polarity Stars Path. This formation could scramble Celestial Mechanism [the underlying principles of fate and cosmic calculation], rendering any attempts at divination futile.

The primary reason Eldrin Chen brought them here, rather than to the Nameless Space where the Returning Abyss Pearl resided, was to safeguard the secret of the Returning Abyss Pearl itself.

After all, the Creation Cauldron might at most attract the covetous gaze of an Ancient One of Heaven and Earth. However, once the Returning Abyss Pearl fully matured, it would likely become an object of desire even for beings of the Third Chaos Realm [the third and highest tier of existence within the primordial chaos].

Upon arriving at the Returning Abyss Forbidden Land, Eldrin Chen immediately activated the concealing grand formation of the place. Then, with solemn gravity, he retrieved the Creation Cauldron.

"This is..."

The moment they laid eyes on the Creation Cauldron, both women were visibly astonished.

With their level of discernment, they could not fully perceive the origins of the Creation Cauldron, yet they instinctively understood it was a supreme treasure of unparalleled grade.

"This is the Innate Supreme Treasure Creation Cauldron [a legendary cauldron capable of reforging a cultivator's very foundation], possessing the effects of Foundation Reforging [the ability to completely rebuild one's cultivation base] and Heaven-Defying Fate Alteration [the power to defy destiny and alter one's fate]."

Eldrin Chen spoke, then looked at the two women before him. Finally, he said, "Violet Consort, you shall go first."

Heart pounding with excitement, Violet Consort Yan stepped into the Great Cauldron with a solemn expression.

The moment she entered the Creation Cauldron, Violet Consort Yan was enveloped by boundless Creation substance [the primordial essence from which all things are formed]. Instantly, she felt a staggering power flood her body, ceaselessly elevating her bloodline and foundational potential.

According to Eldrin Chen's estimation, without adding any external materials, this Creation substance could help Violet Consort Yan advance her several Indestructibility Foundation [the foundational cultivation realms that grant near-immortality] further, reaching the upper-tier level of Indestructibility Foundation.

It must be understood that even among those who have achieved an Indestructibility Foundation, there exists a significant spectrum of power.

Those who cultivate an Indestructibility Foundation can generally be categorized into several grades: ordinary, upper-tier, supreme, and half-step True Spirit [a realm denoting a cultivator's spirit has achieved a state of primordial purity and power].

When Eldrin Chen first forged his Indestructibility Foundation, he took several consecutive strides beyond the basic foundation, ultimately shattering the limits to cultivate the True Spirit Foundation [a supreme foundational cultivation art].

While the differences between these tiers of Indestructibility Foundation may not seem qualitative at a glance, the cumulative gap is substantial and, more importantly, represents one's potential for the Future.

Those who, at the Primordial One Imperial Lord [the first major realm for an Imperial Lord] realm, mend their inherent deficiencies to cultivate a True Spirit Foundation, have at least achieved an upper-tier Indestructibility Foundation. Most have attained a Supreme Indestructibility Foundation, and some are even half-step True Spirit Foundation cultivators.

As for an ordinary Indestructibility Foundation [the foundational stage of cultivation focused on achieving an unbreakable body and spirit], to cultivate the True Spirit Foundation [a legendary, perfect-grade foundational cultivation art] at the Primordial One Imperial Lord [the Imperial Lord realm, a high stage of cultivation] is almost a fool's dream. Since ancient times, there has never been a record of anyone accomplishing such a feat.

Furthermore, Violet Consort Yan's Indestructibility Foundation was originally only at the level of a common Indestructibility Foundation. Now, with the aid of the Creation Cauldron [a legendary cauldron capable of refining and perfecting one's cultivation foundation], she has managed to cultivate it to an Upper-Tier Indestructibility Foundation. This can indeed be considered extraordinary.

"An Upper-Tier Indestructibility Foundation?"

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself, then finally gave a slight shake of his head.

Merely an Upper-Tier Indestructibility Foundation does not offer particularly great hope for a future breakthrough to the Primordial One Imperial Lord realm.

Which true Primordial One Imperial Lord is not a genuine, peerless figure who has carved their way through the Great Encompassing Realm [the Great Encompassing realm, a stage of cultivation] and reigned supreme within the Chaos [the primordial Chaos, a dangerous and powerful dimension]?

Among such existences, those who have cultivated the True Spirit Foundation are not few, let alone those with a mere Upper-Tier Indestructibility Foundation.

"Fortunately, the Creation Cauldron can also dissolve Innate Heavenly God Object [objects born from the essence of the heavens, possessing immense power], extracting their essence for Immortal Foundation Reforging [a divine ability that reforges and perfects one's cultivation foundation]."

Eldrin Chen pondered silently, then decisively took out various divine materials.

He placed over a dozen fire-attribute Great Encompassing Rare Treasure [rare treasures from the Great Encompassing realm] into it one after another. After a moment's thought, he retrieved a Great Path Immortal Pill [a supreme-grade immortal pill] and added it as well. Finally, he placed the main ingredient, the Violet Flame Immortal Marrow [a marrow refined from immortal-grade violet flames, a potent cultivation resource], into the cauldron.

The Violet Flame Immortal Marrow [a marrow imbued with the essence of violet immortal flames] was a top-grade Innate Heavenly God Object [a primordial object of divine origin]. It could be used to forge an Upper Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure [a supreme-tier magical artifact born of innate power]. Now, refined within the Creation Cauldron [a legendary cauldron capable of creation and transformation], it burst forth with a dazzling, peerless violet Immortal Flame [a flame of profound purity and immortal power].

Over a dozen portions of these rare Immortal Artifacts [artifacts of immortal grade] converged and were ultimately refined into a single crucible of the purest Great Path [the fundamental laws of the cosmos] Violet Flame [the essence of violet flame] origin. This essence slowly began to merge as one with Violet Consort Yan.

"It is nearly complete."

Watching as these fundamental Dao origins were gradually absorbed by Violet Consort Yan, Eldrin Chen could not help but let out a soft sigh of relief.

In the end, he still summoned forth a single Innate Primordial Chaos Divine Spark [a divine spark born from the primordial chaos at the dawn of creation], intending to fuse it with Violet Consort Yan.

Yet, the moment he released this Primordial Chaos Indestructible Spark [a divine spark embodying the indestructible nature of primordial chaos], the Creation Cauldron trembled violently. It even manifested a desire to seize this very Primordial Chaos Indestructible Spark for itself.

"You shall not!"

Eldrin Chen decisively restrained the Creation Cauldron and spoke firmly, "This Primordial Chaos Indestructible Spark is of immeasurable value, yet for you, it cannot bring about a qualitative transformation."

"However, if you serve me with true sincerity, in the future, when my cultivation breaks through to the Chaos [the realm of primordial chaos] Heavenly Emperor Realm [the realm of a Heavenly Emperor], I may bestow upon you a portion of Primordial Chaos Genesis Essence [the essence of creation from the primordial chaos]."

"Truly?"

Hearing the words of Eldrin Chen, the Creation Cauldron [a legendary artifact of supreme forging] was utterly astounded and could not help but exclaim, "Impossible! The Primordial Chaos Genesis Essence [the foundational essence born from the chaos of creation] vanished from the world as far back as the Primordial Era [the mythic age of genesis]. How could you possess such a treasure?"

Eldrin Chen did not answer directly, merely smiling as he said, "If you agree to my terms, I will naturally find a way to procure it for you when the time comes."

The Creation Cauldron fell silent. After a long while, it spoke again, "The Primordial Chaos Genesis Essence is a supreme treasure from the time of the Primordial Chaos Opening [the cataclysmic event that birthed the cosmos]. Legends speak of its inconceivable, peerless divine power, said to be capable of elevating a Chaos Spiritual Artifact [an artifact born from primordial chaos] into a Chaos Supreme Treasure [a treasure of ultimate chaos origin]."

"Enough. Since you possess the Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Divine Spark [a divine spark embodying indestructibility from the primordial chaos], I shall... place my trust in you this once."

As its words faded, the Creation Cauldron erupted with a light that seemed to transcend epochs. From within the cauldron, a supreme strand of Creation Origin [the fundamental essence of creation] manifested.

That strand of Creation Origin shimmered like the manifestation of True Dragon and Immortal Phoenix [mythical beasts symbolizing supreme power and grace], coiling and swirling before surging into the body of Nyssa Qu. It finally condensed into a dazzling violet divine rune that flowed into the form of Violet Consort Yan.

"This is..."

Eldrin Chen felt a shock of surprise in his heart, a flicker of confusion crossing his expression.

The Creation Cauldron merely offered a faint smile before speaking calmly, "This is the Chaos Creation Origin [the origin essence born from the fusion of chaos and creation]. I possess only nine portions of it remaining. It holds the divine power of Creation [the act of bringing something into being], capable of Heaven-Defying Fate Alteration [defying celestial decree to alter destiny]. If fused with the Chaos Heaven-Earth Origin [the origin essence of chaotic heaven and earth], it can aid one in cultivating the True Spirit Foundation [the foundational cultivation art for achieving a True Spirit body]."

"A pity. Lacking the assistance of that Heaven-Earth Origin, she can only use it to step into the half-step realm of the True Spirit Foundation."

With those words, the Chaos Cauldron [a primordial artifact of immense power] fell into a profound silence, beginning its continuous assistance in Violet Consort Yan's Foundation Reforging [a supreme technique to rebuild one's cultivation foundation from the ground up].

Time flowed like a swift river. Unnoticed, several hundred thousand years passed before Violet Consort Yan finally stepped forth from within the Creation Cauldron [the Chaos Cauldron in its creative, nurturing aspect].

The Violet Consort Yan who emerged now possessed an immortal grace that was even more alluring and voluptuous, her willow waist seemingly more impossibly slender than before. Most crucially, her aura and bearing had undergone a transformation as vast as the difference between heaven and earth compared to her former self.

Eldrin Chen understood that the more perfect an Immortal's [a being who has transcended mortality through cultivation] innate talent and latent potential, the more flawless their physical form and ethereal presence would become.

That Violet Consort Yan had undergone such a metamorphic rebirth was clear proof that this session of Foundation Reforging had elevated her to a state utterly incomparable to her past.

"The bearing of a Primordial One Imperial Lord [a supreme realm among cultivators, one step below the Path Ancestors]... no, wait, this is..."

Eldrin Chen began to speak, but his words trailed off into a momentary pause.

Clad in a gown of sheer violet silk, Violet Consort Yan spun gracefully on the spot before rushing into Eldrin Chen's embrace.

The feel of her soft, impossibly perfect form against him sent a ripple of warmth through Eldrin Chen's heart. He mastered his composure in an instant, then regarded Violet Consort Yan with a measured gaze. "It seems, my lady, that you have indeed been reborn anew," he said.

Violet Consort Yan smiled, a radiant expression, and nodded. "I have a feeling," she replied, "that it may not be long before I can attempt to assail the True Spirit Foundation [the pinnacle foundation-building art, forging a base of unparalleled purity and strength]."

It turned out that after this round of Foundation Reforging [a profound process of reforging one's cultivation foundation], Violet Consort Yan had successfully cultivated seven great Indestructibility Foundation [foundations of unyielding power]. Moreover, all seven of these Indestructibility Foundation had reached the level of Supreme Indestructibility Foundation [the pinnacle state of an unbreakable foundation].

Among them, her physical body, Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator], and Great Path [a supreme cultivation method] had even advanced half a step into the realm of True Spirit Foundation [a foundation imbued with the essence of a True Spirit].

Most crucially, her Dutian Violet Flame Great Path [the Supreme Path of the Violet Flame that Governs Heaven] had faintly crossed the threshold into the domain of True Spirit [a being of pure, primordial spiritual essence]. It lacked only the final, finest thread before a complete breakthrough.

At this very moment, the Creation Cauldron [a legendary cauldron capable of forging creation itself] spoke: "The Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Divine Spark [a divine spark born from the primordial chaos, embodying indestructibility] truly lives up to its name as a Primordial Chaos Object [an artifact originating from the formless chaos before creation]. Fused with the Chaos Creation Origin [the primordial source of all creation from chaos], it has actually helped her shatter the shackles binding her True Spirit Great Path [the Supreme Path leading to True Spirit ascension]."

"I believe it won't be long now. With just a little external assistance, she will be able to break through."